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Mitchell Community College Library: 3D Printing

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Have questions about your 3D printing needs?

Contact Huskins Library at (704) 878-3271 or 3Dprint@mitchellcc.edu.

3D Printing Request Form

3D Printing

3D Printing Policy

The 3D printer is located at Huskins Library on the Statesville campus of Mitchell Community College and is available to students, faculty, and staff of the college.

  1. The 3D printer may be used only for lawful purrposes. No one will be permitted to use the library's 3D printer to create material that is:
    • Prohibited by local, state, or federal law.
    • Obscene or inappropriate.
    • Unsafe, harmful, dangerous or poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others.
    • In violation of intellectual property rights. For example, the printer will not be used to reproduce material subject to copyright, patent, or trademark protection.
    • To be used for personal financial gain.
  2. the library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
  3. Cost: There will be a charge of $1.00 per item up to five (5) grams in weight, and an additional $0.10 per gram over five (5) grams in weight. The fee covers the cost of the filament used in the printing process. At this time, only one color is used for printing a single project
  4. Print jobs will be submitted using the designated form. A library staff member will contact the individual to provide pricing information. The print job must be pre-paid in cash before it will be sent to the 3D printer. Files submitted for printing must be in either .STL or .OBJ format.
  5. Print jobs will be printed in the order received. The library cannot guarantee that prints will be printed in a timely manner. 3D printing is unpredictable and printing issues do come up.
  6. Items printed from the 3D printer that are not picked up within seven (7) days after being printed become the property of the library. Items must be picked up by the individual who submitted the request.
  7. Only library staff members may operate the 3D printer.
  8. Print jobs will be printed exactly as designed.

 

3D Printing Devices

Mitchell Community College Library has three (3) devices available to students, faculty, and staff to bring their 3D designs to life: a 3D printer, a 3D pen, and a 3D desktop scanner.

3D Printer

The library uses the MakerBot Replicator+ by Tech Specs for its large-scale 3D printed projects. This model "features improved hardware for enhanced precision and durability, and integrates seamlessly with MakerBot Print software, which streamlines the printing process by allowing easy file preparation, remote monitoring, and fleet management" (Open AI, 2025).

While the designs are created by you, the operation of the 3D printer is restricted to library staff only.

3D Scanner

Matter and Form's V2 3D scanner uses high-precision to capture full-color 3D models that can be used to produce .STL and .OBJ file exports for 3D printing. This is a leading companion for the MakerBot Replicator+ 3D printer, allowing for seamless transition from scanned object to printed model.

3D Pen

A hand using a 3Doodler pen to create a free-standing dog from red filament.

(c) "3Doodler Pen model" by 3Doodler Store (Amazon) (n.d.)

The 3Doodler Pen extrudes heated plastic filament that hardens almost instantly, so you can draw 3D structures, freehand or on stencils. The filament is available in multiple colors.

The makerspace at Huskins Library houses two (2) 3D pens, and unlike the 3D printer, it can be used by Mitchell students, faculty, and staff. Visit the Additional Resources tab for ideas, stencils, and more.

Printing Materials

Mitchell Community College Library uses MakerBot standard and tough PLA filament for its 3D printed projects.

  • Standard filament is available in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, and gray.
  • Tough filament is available in black, gray, and white.
  • 0.07" diameter
  • One color per project

PLA filament reels in various colors

(c) "MakerBot PLA Filament" by MakerBot (n.d.)

The printing process is as follows:

  1. Submit your design and request a 3D print job using the required form. Files must be in .STL or .OBJ format.
  2. A library staff member will contact you to confirm that your request has been approved and to provide the job cost.
  3. Confirm your willingness to pay for the print job.
  4. A library staff member will print your request and notify you when it is complete. Printed items must be picked up within 7 days of completion. Payment is due at the time of pick-up.
  5. Enjoy your creation!

All print requests must meet the requirements of the 3D Printing Policy. The library reserves the right to refuse any 3D printing request.

The cost to print an object using standard filament is $1.00 per item, up to five (5) grams in weight. An additional $0.10 per gram will be charged for all projects over five (5) grams in weight.

The cost to print an object using tough filament is $2.00 per item, up to five (5) grams in weight. An additional $0.10 per gram will be charged for all projects over five (5) grams in weight.

Payments are accepted in cash only and must be paid at the time of pick-up.

3D Printing Tutorials

These tutorials will help to familiarize you with the 3D printing devices available at Mitchell Community College Library's makerspace. Check out these videos and more useful books and links under the Additional Resources tab for more information. You'll be creating 3D masterpieces in no time!

(c) "3D Scan Like an Expert: Learn How to 3D Scan in 10 Minutes!" by Matter and Form (YouTube) (2020)

Resources

Below is a list of free resources available to assist users in designing their 3D printing projects.

Introduction to 3D Printing

Creating 3D Designs & Files

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